New Plymouth Race 1
1 Julianus
Julianus has been performing well of late and looks to find a winnable maiden here. The way he has been closing off over 1600m suggests that the 1800m will be right up his alley. He maps to tag Jamaica Farewell in the run and I expect he can go on by her late.
New Plymouth Race 2
4 Almakeitgood
Almakeitgood has been placed at both career starts and she now gets a firmer surface to work with here after a couple of Heavy10 tracks. She is the only 2yo in this field with raceday experience which should stand her in good stead. I wouldn't be surprised to see her roll forward and look to find the front in the small field. Hard to beat.
New Plymouth Race 3
8 Hot Mama
Hot Mama is a 3yo filly by Too Darn Hot on debut out of the Robbie Patterson yard. Her sole trial was very impressive and she has a nice low draw (2) to work with on debut. She showed good early toe in her trial, therefore, I expect her to maintain a position handy to the speed throughout in this.
New Plymouth Race 4
5 Borninastorm
Borninastorm is a 5yo daughter of Bullbards on debut for Allan Sharrock. She has only had the one public trial in June this year, where she won well enough under her own steam. This isn't the strongest maiden for her debut and the fact she is jumping from the inside gate with Lisa Allpress returning will only aid her chances. Market closer to jump time may be a key lead, however, I'm happy to take the $3.20 about her at publish in this field.
New Plymouth Race 5
2 Conway O'Ceirin
Conway O'Ceirin has been struggling of late and hasn't been racing up to the level he was at through the middle of last year. Robbie Patterson has made a multitude of gear changes for this and at the price, I was willing to speculate on those changes sparking a form turnaround for him. I found the favourites all too short for mine and had this race marked almost $7 the field.
New Plymouth Race 6
8 Mapalicious
Mapalicious resumed with a good effort for 3rd here over 1200m where she got back in a strongly run race and finished off well. The step up to 1400m second-up with Michael McNab riding from a handy gate looks to be a recipe for success for mine. She looks hard to beat with natural improvement from that resuming effort.
New Plymouth Race 7
5 Bridal Train
Tip of The Day
Bridal Train is first-up here having last been sighted spacing her rivals over 1800m in May. The blinkers do come off for this first-up run, however, she trialled up very nicely without them on back in November. She maps to tag the likely leader Rua Rocks throughout, which should see her given every chance for this resuming run.
New Plymouth Race 8
12 Black Orlov
Black Orlov was better than he looked to the eye last start, where he was one of very few in the race to make any ground. The blinkers now go on for the first time, while he also gets 3kg off his back after Rihaan Goyaram's claim. While he will likely get back again from the wide draw (10), the smaller field shouldn't see him giving as much of a start away as last time. Looks a strong each way play to finish the day for mine.
